Sunderland midfielder signs new deal

Richard Mennear

Ethan Robson has signed a new two-year contract at Sunderland to keep him on Wearside until 2018.

The 19-year-old midfielder, from Houghton-le-Spring, joined the club’s Academy of Light at the age of eight before rising through the ranks to become a regular for the table-topping Under-21 side this season.

Robson won't feature again this season though after the highly-rated midfield prospect was recently ruled out for the next six weeks with a groin injury.

Robson said: "With a few players going out on loan the places in the squad have started to open up so it’s hard to knowing I’ve got to miss out as I could have shown what I am capable of.

"It’s gutting to miss out but I have got to keep positive and focus on getting myself back as quickly as possible."

The midfielder was taken off in the first-half of the recent 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.